Once you pass your driving test, you think that all your troubles and tensions are behind you. Dealing with driving lessons can be super stressful as you’re always on edge, your instructor is constantly making sure you do everything 100% perfectly, and you have to slowly prowl around while other drivers get annoyed at you. Then, you have your test, which is probably one of the worst tests in your life. You know you can drive. In fact, you have been driving perfectly during all your lessons. But, it comes to the test and you are so incredibly nervous that it makes you make one tiny error that costs you your license. So, you have to go through the process again until you pass. Finally, you are free from the stupid driving lessons and tests, meaning there’s nothing for you to worry about. Or is there? During the first few years of driving, there will be a handful of concerns that are specific to new drivers. It’s important to be wary of them, as this can help you avoid some pretty annoying situations. The good news is that, within a few years of driving, these concerns will quickly go away. With that in mind, what should you be aware of? 

When you first pass your test, car insurance will be more expensive for the first few years. You might think this isn’t fair, especially considering you’ve technically got a clean record. Normally, being involved in car accidents will make your premium go up. So, you may assume that having a fresh record will mean you get a reasonable price for the insurance. On the contrary, it’s your lack of experience that makes the price go up. As a new driver, you are one of the riskiest customers for insurance companies. They have no idea how good of a driver you are, and the fact that you’ve never been out on the roads alone before means you are at risk of causing accidents. Consequently, you’ll pay more for car insurance until you can prove that you’re a safe driver. At which point, you can see your insurance drop pretty dramatically after a couple of years behind the wheel. 

Normally, drivers will need to gain 12 penalty points on their license within 3 years to be at risk of getting disqualified from driving. However, the situation is a lot worse for new drivers. Instead, you only need 6 points within the first 2 years of getting your license for it to be revoked. This will mean you have to go back to square one and apply for your license and pass your test again. But, there’s also usually a ban on how long before you can drive again. You can think of the first two years of driving as a probation period for you. Sure, you passed your test, but the DVLA is still eyeing you up. You have to prove to them that you are a competent and safe driver and that passing you wasn’t a mistake. Unfortunately, loads of speeding fines in the UK are caused by young and new drivers. This is partially why the penalty points threshold is so low - it’s to try and clamp down on new drivers that drive recklessly as soon as they pass their tests. Obviously, this is something to be aware of as it emphasises the importance of being a good driver. Don’t do anything that might earn penalty points as it is so easy to get 6 points on your license very quickly. 

Finally, the chances are you have never driven on a big motorway when you pass your test. Most instructors take you around smaller streets - usually quiet ones. So, you have no experience dealing with a dual carriageway or a proper motorway. It can be daunting driving on roads like these for the first time, which is why you should try to ease yourself into it. Consider signing up for a Pass Plus scheme if you want some extra lessons with an instructor to gain more experience. Here, you are more likely to be taken on the motorways and busy roads. So, you’ll learn more about being in the right lanes, switching lanes, and how to pull off at a junction. 

The more experienced you are behind the wheel, the less there is to worry about!